Kenyan Sign Language Interpreters Association

Message from the KSLIA Chair February 2015

Message from the KSLIA Chair

February 2015

KSLIA is all of us. If KSLIA fails to deliver, it is all of us who have failed to deliver because the organization is simply our agent. We are the principals and our organization simply acts on our behalf. In a democratic dispensation, the organization is only one element co-existing in a social fabric of many varied organizations.

Members of an organization should share in the responsibility of joining with others to shape the future of the organization. As KSLIA members, we must take responsibility for the fate of our organization, in the end we will rejoice when we take the organization to the next level and achieve the progress that our hearts yearn for. This is what KSLIA leadership has endeavored to do together with those who mean well for the profession.

Therefore KSLIA office bearers act for the interests of the organization and not for personal interests. Where personal interests exist, the organizations’ interests must always carry the day. The current office bearers have therefore always acted for the interest of the organization. Some may not be pleased especially if they want to have their way. BUT anyone in our position would always do what the office demands i.e doing what is right to ensure the organizations’ interests always prevail.

Consequently, as an office, we may have rubbed some interpreters the wrong way as we execute our mandate BUT let it be clear to all of you that it is nothing personal. It is what the position we are in demands. It requires us to EXECUTE OUR MANDATE even when it doesn’t please everyone as long, as it is the right thing to do. This we will continue to do without fear or favour for the benefit of us all for it is the only way we can achieve the progress we yearn for.

THANK YOU and

God Bless you all

KSLIA National Chairperson

Monday, July 09, 2007

Working with Sign Language Interpreters

Here are some guidelines........

Interpreters’ Professional Code of Ethics

A Sign Language Interpreter Will:

1) Maintain Confidentiality
2) Demonstrate Ethical Business practices
a. To be on time
b. To be dependable
c. To dress appropriately
d. To be discrete
e. To be honest
f. To be environmentally – friendly
g. To charge reasonable fees
h. To declare and avoid conflicts of interest

3) Convey the spirit and intent of the message
a. To meet the consumers linguistic needs

4) Maintain respect for the consumer
a. To maintain professional distance
b. To provide advocacy and information

5) Remain impartial
a. Do not give personal opinion during interpreting assignment

6) Continue Professional Development
7) Conform to the Code of Ethics

DRAFT #1
September 3, 2006
Sign Language Interpreting Workshop, Machakos

KSLIA Press Release!

KSLIA Press Release

Celebrating 7 Years of Service to the Deaf Kenyans.

In compliance with the Persons with Disabilities ACT 2003 Kenyan Sign Language Interpreters Association (KSLIA) would like to enlighten the general public of it’s mandate and mission in provision of quality Interpretation services to the Deaf community in Kenya.

KSLIA was registered in 2000 under the Societies Act with the goal of providing quality interpretation services to the Deaf community in Kenya. KSLIA will strive to reach this goal by focusing on the following objectives:
1. KSLIA will maintain a registry of qualified and practicing interpreters in Kenya. KSLIA will continually maintain a high level of professionalism by enforcing the Interpreter code of ethics, continuing education and a license maintenance program for all its membership.
2. KSLIA in collaboration with like-minded stakeholders will establish a research, training, certification and regulatory process for accrediting interpreters in Kenya.
3. KSLIA will strive to form networks and forums for its members to exchange ideas, best practices and mentoring as part of its activities
4. KSLIA will develop information, education and communication materials on issues of Deafness, Sign language, Deaf Education, Deaf Culture and Heritage, establish resource centers for information sharing and dissemination.

Since its formation KSLIA in partnership with local and international organizations has facilitated the training and certification of 20 interpreters in Kenya. KSLIA has drafted and adopted a code of ethics, continues to update its registry of interpreters, organizing interpreter trainings and forging new alliances gearing to reach its goal.

Exciting times lay ahead and the work of KSLIA will now look at working towards the provision of quality interpretation services, providing equal access to information, education, communication and other essential social services to the Kenyan Deaf community.

Chairman, KSLIA.
Date and Signed 7th September 2007

Visit us at www.kslia.blogspot.com Email: kslia_chairman@yahoo.com

KSLIA providing quality professional interpretation service!!

Disclaimer!

This is the official KSLIA blog. It is a forum for information exchange and notice board for all interpreters working in Kenya. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information, links and articles are accurate and verified however KSLIA does not gurantee the correctness of the views expressed below esp. comments or personal views. KSLIA however appreciates any comments, suggestions and questions about it's activities in Kenya, Sign language, Deaf Culture and Interpreting. These can be forwarded to the KSLIA secretariat for further action. KSLIA (c) 2015.

Kenyan Sign Language Interpreters Association

Kenyan Sign Language Interpreters Association (KSLIA) was set up by a group of 20 local interpreters after a training by the first Deaf Education US Peace Corps Volunteers in September 2000. Prior to this training there were several short term trainings conducted by KSLRP/KNAD dating back to 1980s and 1990s. [KSLIA] is an indigenous initiative evolving and strengthening the face of the Interpreting profession in Kenya.

[KSLIA] hopes to improve and elevate the standards of Interpreting in Kenya through the following objectives:

a)To secure official recognition by the Government of S.L Interpreters profession

b)Encourage and promote initiatives in improving the standards of SL interpreting and interpreter training and pay scale of interpreters depending with their level and skills of interpretation through certification.

c)Cooperation with other recognized bodies concerned in the welfare of the deaf and in provision of S.L Interpreters throughout the world.

d)Awareness creation on Deafness and SL. Interpreters through publication of information materials

e)To collect and raise funds for the achievement of goals and objectives through membership fee, subscription, contribution, gifts or donations, commissions and payments, fund raising whether in money or otherwise from both members and non members.

f)To maintain and administer a registry of S.L Interpreters in Kenya, enforce a code of ethics and mediate conflict between the Interpreters and their clients.

KSLIA is working towards the establishment of a training program and a certification process for its membership. [KSLIA] envisions its role in a three pronged approach - the three C's - Certification of members, Continuing education for the practicing Interpreters and Conflict resolution through enforcement of the Code of Ethics.

Between 2006 - 2009 Global Deaf Connection,Deaf Aid, and KSLIA have jointly organized a series of training aimed at developing a process to provide training, certification and continued professional development for Kenyan Interpreters.

2010 - Constitution of Kenya is signed and promulgated. Articles 7 (3b); 27(4); 35 (1b); 44(1); 54 (1d); 56 (d); 120 (1) mentions Kenyan Sign Language.

2013 - 2014 - KBC, KTN and GBS television stations started having Interpreter insert. St. Paul's University, Technical University, Strathmore University and University of Nairobi begin discussions on introducing courses in Kenyan Sign Language and Interpretation. All as a result of the advocacy of the Kenya National Association of the Deaf KNAD

Message from the KSLIA Chair February 2015

What is KSLIA?

Kenyan Interpreters

Monday, July 09, 2007

Working with Sign Language Interpreters

KSLIA Press Release!

Disclaimer!

Links -- Washirika

Followers - Wafuasi